NEED TO KNOW
Prince William made a surprise visit to the Walnut Tree Inn in Wiltshire, England, on Thursday, Nov. 27
The Prince of Wales had a lunch meeting and posed for a photo with pubgoers and a member of staff
The pub’s owner, William Friend-James, revealed what William ordered and said it was “a pleasure” to host him
Prince William shocked customers and staff when he made a surprise visit to a country pub.
The Prince of Wales, 43, stopped by the Walnut Tree Inn in Wiltshire, England, for lunch on Thursday, Nov. 27.
“He was a pleasure to serve, very down to earth, the whole group were,” said pub owner William Friend-James.
William visited the town of Mere for business regarding the Duchy of Cornwall, the valuable estate that he inherited after his father King Charles ascended to the throne in 2022. Worth over $1 billion, the Duchy of Cornwall includes farmland, property and commercial businesses that span over 20 counties in England and provides funds for the heir and their public works.
The Walnut Tree Inn is on Duchy of Cornwall land, per local newspaper Wiltshire Times.
“It was a working lunch,” said Friend-James.
Friend-James told the Daily Mail that a table had been booked a week ago for nine people on two separate tables, but no one knew that the booking was in fact for royalty.
“Everyone was a bit shocked when the Prince of Wales walked in,” Friend-James said. “I didn’t recognize who he was with, but they were from the Duchy and there were six of them at one table having a meeting over lunch.”
The owner said William ordered a homemade burger, fries and a lemonade, while others in his group of six had the homemade pie and sea bass.
On the pub’s menu, the “Walnut Tree Burger” costs £18.95 — around $25 — and comes in a brioche bun with fries, Emmental cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, coleslaw and relish.
According to the Wiltshire Times, William posed for a photo with regulars Gary Fermor and Nick Lowe and staff member Lisa James, who served him.
“Somebody asked for a photo and his security guards said no but then he walked to the loos [restrooms] by himself and Lisa asked him if he minded having a photo and he said yes,” Friend-James told the Daily Mail.
Daniel Jones/PA Images via Getty
Prince William surprised Aston Villa fans at a pub in Birmingham, England, in January 2025
The photo was posted by the pub on their Facebook page with the caption, “It was our great pleasure to host HRH Prince of Wales for lunch at the Walnut Tree Inn yesterday, a big shout out to Lisa, Grace and the kitchen team for looking after him so well.”
William’s security team, who sat on a separate table to him, paid for the check and included a tip, Friend-James told PEOPLE.
Friend-James estimates that the group was at the pub for around two hours, per the Wiltshire Times.
“They weren’t bothered by anyone, and they had a lovely time,” he said of the prince’s visit, adding that the group “had a good meeting around the corner.”
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The Prince of Wales’ surprise visit comes months after he joined fellow Aston Villa fans for another surprise pub meetup — and bought them a round!
After wrapping up a royal engagement for the College of Paramedics in Birmingham, England, in January, William made a pit stop at a local pub in the city where his soccer team is based.
The royal organized the meetup of Aston Villa fans at Wetherspoons before the soccer team’s game later that day.
Read the original article on People